A Kenyan tea farmer spoke to schoolchildren about the impact buying Fairtrade products has on his home country.

Patrick Kaberia Muthaura works for Michimikuru Tea Company and helps other farmers improve their crop and harvesting techniques.

Mr Muthaura gave a presentation to Pakefield Primary School pupils explaining Fairtrade premium and how it helps African farmers and their families through various projects.

All the tea from Michimikuru Tea Company is certified as Fairtrade, however, when the crop goes to the market in Mombasa, only three per cent is sold to Fairtrade suppliers in the UK – with the remainder being sold with other teas on the open market.

The tea that is sold to non-Fairtrade buyers will not guarantee the farmers a fair price and, as a result, provides no security of income for the farmers.

Mr Muthaura said: 'The children learnt about how important the choices they make are. 'They have learnt an important lesson about equality and to appreciate Fairtrade farmers. I want people to understand that I value the choices they make in the supermarket. Their generosity to pay a little more means a lot to me.'

Gill Taylor, chairman of the Lowestoft Town Fairtrade committee, also praised the school for its work.